A Vanity With a Dark Side..Waking Up Neutrals

Every once in a while you find something that you really, really wish

 would turn up uninvited on your doorstep..

like this vanity, from the portfolio of Stylist Kara Butterfield.

I love the lines, the detailing on the doors, and those wonderful pulls.

But what I really love about this vanity is the dark sink and faucet.

Graceful and elegant without glitz, they add balance to a very neutral space.

They give your eye somewhere to rest, without adding more color.

Here are two more examples of the use of dark accents in neutral spaces from her work:

The bold mirrors ground this ornate cabinet beautifully, 

and another works it's magic in the powder room beyond.

(I had that wool Ikea carpet in my front hall, 

it has met with a rather unfortunate end since meeting our new puppy :)

A replacement will have to wait until this chewing stage is over!)

The luscious color of that fireplace is one of my faves..

it reminds me of Mushroom, by Frazee.

And the tiles are perfection.

But it wouldn't be half as lovely without the ebonized interior, would it? 

Simple birch logs function as sculpture within.

Do you use hits of black or other dark tones to wake up neutrals?

Or do you prefer to bring in pops of color?

til next time..

Stylist Maxine Brady: It's All In The Mix..

I'm liking the romantic stylings of Maxine Brady, Interior Stylist.

She calls her style approachable, but it's more than that, a dashing mix.

These spaces beckon, they tempt.

Tucked away under the stars..

Rustic pieces and old-world gold frame modern art - and live in harmony with a very urban lamp..

An anything-but-basic black chest anchors this space, where old rusted architectural elements and mid-century pieces mix happily.

Silver candlesticks and paper lanterns! A friendly simplicity..

Perhaps it's partly because these are all my favourite colors - but I feel like framing this!

Ms. Brady's work has appeared in House Beautiful, and several other large publications.

Can't wait to see more..

til next time..

A Haberdashery - Such Fun!

I really wish Austrailia was closer.

a mecca of inspiration

Shouldn't we all visit the haberdashery (anywhere described as a haberdashery really deserves a visit!)  known as The Society Inc.?

Owned by Stylist Sibella Court, the store changes themes four times yearly, with all new decor and contents.

Now, Sibella, besides having one of the loveliest names, has a portfolio packed with fascinating work.
She sets no limitations for herself, filling space with all sorts of treasures.  I love that an old, battered piece is treated with the same importance as everything else.

I have a peculiar love for twine and brown paper, old battered furniture and little bits and bobs of nature.. once a collage of old calendars decorated my kitchen wall...I have a feeling the Sibella and I would get on very well..

the beauty of scissors...through Sibella's eyes..

these are spaces filled with a her favourite things - what are your favoutite things? Do you display them?

a paper ship elevated to sculpture, a lantern suspended by rope... and NAVY, ooh, navy..

that tambourine is interesting :)

who couldn't use a little more humour in their home?

usually we work to hide cords, 

but here Sibella uses the cord as part of the composition, hanging it over a hook..

explore The Society Inc.'s site, betcha you'll find yourself lingering... and re-thinking the word "clutter'..

til next time...

Twig Hutchinson: Stylist Extrodinaire

Considering my preoccupation with all things tree - Twig Hutchinson's name alone piqued my interest! Then I saw her work. 

Each space captures a striking fantasy.

This is where I would like to bathe.

in summer

and in winter

A bed made for lounging.. pot of tea at the ready..

I must admit, D and I had our mattress on the floor for a number of years.

 A rickety Ikea bedframe moved to the spare rooms for guests..

 I kept saying it was so the kiddies, who always found their way in around 3 am, wouldn't fall into peril.

It was also because I liked it :)

One day a relative remarked how odd it was and the next thing you knew we were shopping for a bed frame, which is beautiful, but sometimes the hippie in me just wants to wake in a room like this...

So. Easter is coming, and I haven't decorated yet. 

A few bunnies have found their way out of storage but have no home yet...

It was this image that led me to Twig's portfolio to begin with.

Next week I will decorate.

For sure.

Have you?

And I'm going to have a post about a little kitchen project thats in the works,

 something I have wanted to do for a long time..

til next time...